A recent blog by Jay Lund from UC Davis explores the “Inevitable Changes to Water in California.” Mr. Lund’s observations are thoughtful and from our perspective, he has presented one of the most honest and practical perspectives on how many of the water challenges facing California will emerge over the next several decades. We encourage you to read his blog at: California Water Blog – Inevitable changes to water in California.
Central to his observations are that every region in California will approach and handle water challenges differently and “water solutions will become even more local and regional.” In the Sacramento Valley, water resources managers are looking forward and preparing for a changing environment as Mr. Lund suggests, while working diligently to more effectively and efficiently serve multiple beneficial uses that help define and shape this special region. This includes water for cities and rural communities, farms, wildlife refuges and other managed wetlands, and fisheries.
Mr. Lund reserves his strongest point for the end of his blog, where he avers that “forward looking actions can reduce the pain and improve the prospects for water supporting the kind of society, economy, and environment that Californians desire. As always, facing change and thoughtfully preparing for the inevitable will be better than wishfully thinking that California can avoid change.”
For context, the efforts by Sacramento Valley water resources managers over the past several decades (since the last major drought) to improve efficient water management and regional sustainability benefited the region during the most recent drought. The leaders in the Sacramento Valley have also learned much during the past several dry years…now is a good time to actively pursue many forward looking actions that will help serve water for all these beneficial purposes in the Sacramento Valley and better prepare for the next drought.
